Just *DID* It, Nike. Now You Can Change the Name of the Joe Paterno Child Development Center on Your Campus. Really.

July 12, 2012

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UPDATED: Nike will remove Joe Paterno’s name from its child care center. Forbes has the story. Money:

Now, in the wake of the Freeh Report implicating Paterno in covering up Sandusky’s crimes and failing to protect child rape victims, the sports giant has finally capitulated.
Here’s Nike president Mark Parker’s statement:

I have been deeply saddened by the news coming out of this investigation at Penn State. It is a terrible tragedy that children were unprotected from such abhorrent crimes. With the findings released today, I have decided to change the name of our child care center at our World Headquarters. My thoughts are with the victims and the Penn State community.

Nike billionaire founder Phil Knight added his thoughts to the turn of events:

Other than my parents, my college coach, Bill Bowerman, was the biggest influence in my life. Bill Bowerman and Joe Paterno shared some great qualities. Throughout Joe Paterno’s career, he strived to put young athletes in a position to succeed and win in sport but most importantly in life. Joe influenced thousands of young men to become better leaders, fathers and husbands.
According to the investigation, it appears Joe made missteps that led to heartbreaking consequences. I missed that Joe missed it, and I am extremely saddened on this day. My love for Joe and his family remains.

Previous Post asking Nike to Just Change It: 
Dear Nike,
JoPa knew.
He tried to hide it according to former FBI Director Louis Freeh in his 267 page report about Penn State. Find it HERE. 

Here are a couple of things you may want to consider while measuring for the new sign.

 

 “After Mr. Curley consulted with Mr. Paterno, however, they changed the plan and decided not to make a report to the authorities,” the report said. “Their failure to protect the … child victim, or make attempts to identify him, created a dangerous situation for other unknown, unsuspecting young boys who were lured to the Penn State campus and football games by Sandusky and victimized repeatedly by him.”

or

“Taking into account the available witness statements and evidence, it is more reasonable to conclude that, in order to avoid the consequences of bad publicity, the most powerful leaders at Penn State University – Messrs. Spanier, Schultz, Paterno andC urley – repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky’s child abuse from the authorities, the Board of Trustees, Penn State community, and the public at large. Although concern to treat the child abuser humanely was expressly stated, no such sentiments were ever expressed by them for Sandusky’s victims.”

I haven’t been making an issue of this before now. I think you’ll agree, however, it is time to change your sign. 

If not, maybe you’ll consider these new outbuildings for the Nike Campus:

The Mike Tyson Sensitivity and Rape Recovery Center
The Lance Armstrong Blood Mobile
The ‘Roger Clemens Way’ Center for Body Building
Qyntel Woods Doggie Day Care

The possibilities are endless.

Nike, you’ve got choices. Just do it. Change the sign.

Tell ’em where you saw it. Http://www.victoriataft.com